Today
Cbus finally puts CFMEU out into the cold
The construction industry super fund may have got there slower than (nearly) everyone else, but it’s finally getting some distance from the union.
This Month
Corrupt former CFMEU officials jailed over bribes
Darren Greenfield and his son Michael pleaded guilty to accepting bribes for favours on building sites. They will probably be released within months.
Australian taxpayers bailing out Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop chaos
When the Albanese government is the project’s anchor tenant, it signals that federal Labor will bail out Victoria, no matter how indebted it becomes.
CFMEU boss offers payouts ahead of ‘ruthless’ purge
CFMEU secretary Zach Smith says more exits are on the horizon at the union’s biggest branch after a flurry of charges and sackings over corruption allegations.
Union boss says bribes a ‘moment of weakness’, pleads for no jail time
Ex-CFMEU NSW leader Darren Greenfield says he “gave into temptation” when accepting a boss’ bribes, in a case that will set the standard for union corruption matters.
John Holland ends secret CFMEU side deals
The move follows the ACCC raising red flags about the builder’s agreements with the union to use only three specific firms on major government projects.
John Setka charged with threatening CFMEU administrator
Police arrested the former CFMEU boss and charged him in connection with allegedly threatening emails.
Football club at centre of ‘corruption’, ‘conflict of interest’ claims
The role of a high-ranking CFMEU official is under serious scrutiny after construction firms ploughed sponsorship money into the club.
Sacked chief of CFMEU training unit charged with 21 fraud offences
The charging of Steven Deer marks another significant milestone for police as they crack down on alleged corruption in the building sector.
October
Senior CFMEU official sacked over ‘accepting bribes’
CFMEU administrator Mark Irving said there was compelling evidence confirming allegations that John Perkovic took corrupting benefits from labour hire firms.
Fears of old guard’s return as CFMEU boss Smith given OK to meet Setka
The administrator approved the meeting, union sources say, as fresh questions are raised about the branch’s ties to former leaders.
CFMEU gives Victoria a slap at the end of the (West Gate) tunnel
The union expertly exploited the Allan government’s infrastructure honeypot, and it is still finding ways to flex its muscles.
Building industry probe vows to put ‘thugs and bullies’ on the stand
The Queensland government’s inquiry into the CFMEU and corruption in the building industry has opened with a warning intimidation of witnesses will not be tolerated.
September
‘Gaslit’: Leaked emails show Allan, ministers knew about CFMEU threats
Senior Victorian politicians promised to handle claims of union coercion on Big Build sites in the lead up to the 2022 election. Nothing was done.
Senior CFMEU officials taken to court over Big Build ‘threats’
More than two years on, the watchdog has taken legal action against two CFMEU organisers accused of threatening an Indigenous firm on Victorian government projects.
Insider warns of union, employer misuse of workers’ redundancy fund
Billion-dollar accounts risk getting used to fund purposes other than to benefit workers and need to be banned from doing so, a former manager has warned.
Major builder joins call for royal commission into Vic rorts claims
A senior building executive and Liberal oppositions have called for a broader inquiry into what the Allan government knew about rorting and kickbacks.
Leaked files show Victoria’s Big Build went bad years ago
A former anti-corruption commissioner has backed a royal commission-style inquiry into evidence the Allan government knew about complaints of rorting.
‘Pay to play’: Gangland kickback claims rock $26b road project
Daniel Salter wanted to find jobs for army veterans on Victoria’s North East Link project, but he couldn’t open the necessary doors – until he coughed up cash.
Builder of new Sydney Metro airport line hit with cover-up claims
Construction giant Webuild, which is building the rail link for Australia’s newest air hub, is accused of covering up a worker exploitation scandal.